DIY: Soft bucket for Valentines day

BushcraftZ 2013

 During the past few weeks I have seen several magazines showcasing various soft bucket designs. It is easy enough to make your own. Below I share how I made one for Valentines day. Perfect for a beautiful red Symphony Amaryllis, a gift from my husband.

Materials:

• Fabric in contrasting design
• General sewing material
• Cotton ribbon or cord
• Measuring tape, ruler pencil and paper for the pattern

Method:

Make your own pattern

Determine the diameter (X cm) and height (Y cm) of the bucket you want to make.

Diameter: X cm

Height: Y cm

Base of the bucket: Cut out a circle with a diameter of (X cm + 2 cm = Z cm)

Calculations for the side panel: Determine the circumference of the circle above with the following formula. This will be the measurement for the length of the side panel.

Circumference = Z cm x 3.14 =  L cm

Cut a rectangle with the following measurements:

Length of side panel = L cm (as determined above) by (Y cm + (0.3 x Y cm))

I made a soft bucket for a pot that is 16 cm diameter and 15 cm height.

Diameter: 16 cm

Height: 15 cm

Base circle diameter = 16 + 2 cm = 18 cm

Length of the side panel = circumference = 18cm x 3.14 = 56.52 cm

Width of the side panel = 15 cm + (0.3 x 15 cm) = 20 cm

Method:

1. Cut 2 side panels based on the pattern above – one each from contrasting fabric.
2. Cut one circle for the base of the soft bucket from fabric
3. Decorate one of the side panels with embroidered hearts.

   

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4. Place the two side panels, right side together and sew along one long side. Open and press at the seam.

   

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5. Fold the joined panels in half so that the two short sides are aligned. Sew along the long side to form a tube.

   

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6. Fold the tube over, wrong sides together. The fabric that you intend to be on the inside of the soft bucket should face out at this point. Press at the seam and top-stitch and along the top seam.
7. Place the folded tube over the base circle and sew in place along the side of the circle. Neaten the edges with zigzag stitching.
8. Turn the soft bucket right side out and fold over the top edge to show the inside fabric.

   

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9. Optional: Insert a ribbon or cord on each side to round off the bucket.

   

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10. Insert the pot plant into the prepared soft bucket.

    

    BushcraftZ 2014